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Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improved balance ability and respiratory muscle function in healthy older adults. The current study is a retrospective analysis to explore the relationship between inspiratory muscle function, balance ability, and adaptation to IMT. All participants (total = 129; IMT = 60; age range = 65–85 years) performed inspiratory and balance assessments, including the mini-balance evaluation system test, maximal inspiratory pressure, and peak inspiratory flow tests. Baseline inspiratory muscle function was positively related to balance ability (p <.05), and IMT-induced improvements in inspiratory function (23.3% in maximal inspiratory pressure, 8.0% in peak inspiratory flow rate, 14.9% in maximal peak inspiratory power) were related to improvements in balance (10.6% in mini-balance evaluation system test), with the greatest improvements (17.0%) observed in the oldest participants (76–85 years old, p <.05). In conclusion, with or without IMT, positive associations between inspiratory function and balance ability exist, with greater improvements in inspiratory muscle function related to greater improvements in balance ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the response of the equine respiratory muscles to training. Objectives: To measure an index of inspiratory muscle strength (IMSi) before and after a period of conventional exercise training (phase 1) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT), comparing high‐load (treatment) and low‐load (control) groups (phase 2). Study design: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Methods: Phase 1: Twenty National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses performed an inspiratory muscle strength test (IMST) twice on two occasions; when unfit at timepoint A (July), and when race fit at timepoint B (October). Phase 2: Thirty‐five Thoroughbred racehorses at race fitness were randomly assigned into a high‐load (treatment, n = 20) or low‐load (control, n = 15) IMT group. The high‐load group followed an IMT protocol that gradually increased the inspiratory pressure applied every 4 days. The low‐load group underwent sham IMT with a low training load. The IMT was performed 5 days/week for 10 weeks. The IMST was performed twice on two occasions, timepoint B (October) and timepoint C (January). Conventional exercise training and racing continued during the study period. The peak IMSi values obtained from the different groups at timepoints A, B and C were compared using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: Phase 1: There was a significant increase in IMSi from timepoint A: 22.5 cmH2O (21–25) to timepoint B: 26 cmH2O (24–30) (p = 0.015). Phase 2: From timepoint B to C there was a significant increase in IMSi for the high‐load group 34 cmH2O (28–36) (p = 0.001) but not the low‐load group 26 cmH2O (24–30) (p = 0.929). The peak IMSi at timepoint C was significantly higher for the high‐load than low‐load group (p = 0.019). Main limitations: Single centre study with only National Hunt horses undergoing race‐training included. Conclusions: In horses undergoing race training there is a significant increase in IMSi in response to conventional exercise training and high‐load IMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited information exists regarding changes in the size of respiratory and locomotor muscles in response to exercise training in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Objectives: To describe and compare the responses of the respiratory and locomotor muscles to conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Study design: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses, in training for competition in National Hunt races, were recruited from two training establishments. Ultrasonographic images were obtained for selected muscles of the upper airway, diaphragm, accessory respiratory, and locomotor systems and their sizes measured. Examinations were performed at three timepoints: (A) when unfit, (B) following 12 weeks of conventional exercise training and (C) following 10–12 weeks continued training at race fitness. In addition, horses at yard 1 performed IMT, between timepoint B and C, and were randomly assigned into high‐load (treatment) or low‐load (control) group. Repeated measures models were constructed to compare the change in muscle measurements over time, and to investigate the effects of yard, previous airway surgery and IMT on the change in ultrasonographic size measurements obtained. Results: Upper airway muscle size increased in response to conventional race training between timepoints A–C, and B–C. Diaphragm size increased in response to conventional exercise training between timepoints A and B. The diaphragm size of horses that undertook high‐load IMT was either maintained or increased, whereas diaphragm size decreased in horses that undertook low‐load IMT or no IMT between timepoints B and C. A significant interaction between gluteal muscle size and airway surgery status was observed, with greater gluteal muscle thicknesses measured in horses that had not previously undergone airway surgery (left gluteal 3.9%, p < 0.001; right 4.5%, p = 0.04). Main limitations: Low number of horses underwent IMT. Conclusions: Respiratory and locomotor muscles increase in size in response to conventional exercise training, with a further change in diaphragm size in response to inspiratory muscle training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of 2 different breathing frequencies on the magnitude of inspiratory muscle fatigue after high-intensity front crawl swimming. The influence of different breathing frequencies on postexercise blood lactate ([La]) and heart rate (HR) was also examined. Ten collegiate swimmers performed 2 x 200-m front crawl swims at 90% of race pace with the following breathing frequencies: 1) 1 breath every second stroke (B2), and 2) 1 breath every fourth stroke (B4). Maximal inspiratory pressure (Plmax) was measured at the mouth from residual volume before (baseline) and after swimming, in a standing position. The HR and [La] were assessed at rest and immediately at the cessation of swimming. The Plmax decreased by 21% after B4 and by 11% after B2 compared with baseline (p < 0.05). The [La] was lower by 15% after B4 than after B2 (p < 0.05). The HR was not significantly different between B2 and 84. These data suggest that there is significant global inspiratory muscle fatigue after high-intensity swimming. Inspiratory muscle fatigue is, however, greater when breathing frequency is reduced during high-intensity front crawl swimming. Respiratory muscle training should be used to improve respiratory muscle strength and endurance in swimmers. KEY WORDS swimming, reduced breathing frequency, fatigue of inspiratory muscles, blood lactate concentration, heart rate